Dam per-reg u lator



No. 608,966. Patented Aug. 9, I898. E. K. HUTCHISUN.

DAMPER REGULATOR.

(Application filed Nov. 15, I897.) (,No M01101.) 2 Sheets-Slheet I.

-meM boz E. K. Hufc/v/son.

No. 608,966. Patented Aug. 9, I898.

. E. K. HUTCHISON.

DAMPER REGULATOR.

(Application filed. Nov. 15, 1597.

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' 5] HMO/W1 0i g g o a f. h. Hufcfi/son. g a /i4 61mm NTTED STATES PATENT FFlCE.

EPl-IRATM K. HUTCHISON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

DAM PER-REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 608,966, dated August 9, 1898. Application filed November 15, 1897, Serial No. 658,619. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern):

a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Damper- Regulators; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in damper-regulators, my object being to provide an apparatus of this class which shall be simple in construction, economical in cost, reliable, durable, and efficient in use; and to these ends the invention consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved damper-regulator, the cylinder being shown partly in section. Fig. 2 is a top view showing the same connected with the damper and on a smaller scale. Fig. 3 is a section taken through the valve mechanism. Fig. at is a section taken through a cylinder connected with the casing of one of the valves. Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken through the mechanism shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a rod and an adjustable dog for limiting'the return movement of the cross head and cylinder-piston. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View showing a horizontal portionof the flue, the damper being shown by dotted lines and in two positions. Fig. 8 is avertic'al section taken through the construction shown in Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in the views, let the numeral 5 designate a valve mechanism of the constructionsh own in Fig. 3. A nipple 5, formed integral with the casing 5 of this mechanism, is connected witha conduit 6, leadingto the boiler or steam supply source 7 above the water-line. The nipple 5 projects below the seat 5 of the valve 5 An apertured disk 5? t is screwed into the lower threaded portion of Be it known that LEPHRAIM K. HUTCHISON, I

the valve-casing above the valve. The stem 5 of the valve passes through the opening in this disk and moves freely therein. The upper reduced portion of the stem is shouldered to form a bearing for a washer 5 Above this washer is located a coil-spring 5. The

upper extremity of this spring bears against a disk 5 made fast to the lower extremity of a screw 5*, which passes through a threaded aperture formed in the top 5 of the casing. The tension of the spring is controlled by the screw 5 and its disk.-

The top of the casing consists of a cap provided with a female thread engaging a male thread formed on the body of the casing. The valve-casing is further provided with a nipple 5 having an opening communicating with the valve-chamber both below and above the screw-disk 5 A passage 5 leads from the opening in the nipple to the chamber I above the disk. The valve-casing is further provided with a nipple 5", whose opening communicates with the valve-chamber below the disk 5 only. The nipple 5 of the valvecasing is connected f with a cylinder 8 by means of a pipe 9, through which the steam passes to the cylinder when the valve 5* is unseated. This cylinder is provided with a piston 10, whose stem 12 passes through a suitable opening formed in one end of the cylinder. To the extremity of the piston-stem remote from the piston is attached a cross-head 13, mounted onthreeguide-rods 14, which pass through openings in the cross head. These guide-rods 14 are attached to the cylinder-head at one extremityandto a bracket 15 at the opposite extremity. This bracket 15, together with another bracket 16, forms a support for the cylinder 8, the brackets being made fast to some suitable stationary object. The nipple 5 of the valve-casing is provided with a port 5 which registers with an opening in a suitable nipple 5 from which leads a pipe 17, whose opposite extremity is connected with the nippleo formed integral with the casing of another valve mechanism, whichisof the same construction as the valve mechanism 5 already described, but which will, forthe purpose of distinguishing the one from the other in this specification, be designated by the reference character 5'. This valve mechanism 5' is mounted on the cylinder 8, whose shell is provided with a threaded socket in which the nipple 5 of the valvecasing is screwed. The chamber of the valve mechanism 5, however, does not communicate with the chamber of the cylinder 8. Thenipple 5 of the valve mechanism 5 is screwed into an opening formed in a cylindrical casing 18 below the piston 19, located in said casing. The piston 19 is attached to a stem 20, which passes through an opening formed in a screw-cap 21, applied to the top of the casing 18. To the external protruding extremity of the stem 20 is attached a rectangular yoke 22 by means of a screw-pin 23, which passes through registering apertures formed in said stem and suitable lugs formed on the top of the yoke. The lower extremity of this-yoke is connected by means of a screwpin 24 with one extremity of a crank-arm 55, attached to a rod 26, which is mounted on the bracket 15 and the cylinder 8. This rod is adapted to turn in its supports, and upon it is mounted a dog 25, which is adjustable on the rod by means of a set-screw 26. This set screw engages a sleeve 27, which is provided with a stud 28, upon which the dog 25 is mounted. This dog is provided with a lug 25 which is adapted to engage a stop 28, formed on the stud 28. This construction limits the movement of the dog in one direction and allows it to move freely in the opposite direction.

To the opposite sides of the cross-head 13 are attached chains 29, whose opposite extremities are connected with a bar 30. To the center of this bar is attached another chain 31, whose opposite extremity is connected with one extremity of an angular arm 32, made fast to the spindle 33, upon which the damper 34 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7) is mounted. The extremity of this arm 32 remote from the chain 31 is provided with a weight 35, which normally holds the damper wide open or in the horizontal position, referring to Fig. 7. The position of the weight and this arm 32 when the damper is closed is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 7.

The operation of my improved damper-regulator will now be described. Assuming that the safety-valve of the boiler is set to open at a pressure of one hundred and five pounds, the tension of the spring 5 of valve mechanism 5 should be'regulated by means of the tension-screw 5 and the disk 5 to allow the valve 5 to open at a pressure of, say,one hun dred pounds, the corresponding spring of the valve mechanism 5 being regulated to allow its valve 5 to open at apressure of, say, ninety-seven pounds. Now as the steampressure rises in the boiler 7 the valve 5 of the valve mechanism 5 will open first, since the steam passes from the boiler through the nipple 5 of the valve mechanism 5, and thence through the pipe 17 into the nipple 5 of the valve mechanism 5. As the valve 5 of mechanism 5 opens, the steam passes into the cylinder 18 below the piston 19 and raises said valve sufliciently to turn the rod 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow 1 (see Fig. 6) through the instrumentality of the piston-stem 20, the yoke 22, and the crankarm 55. The turning of the rod 2t in the direction of arrow 1 throws the dog 25 into the path of the cross-head 13. Assuming that the steam-pressure in the boiler continues to rise, as soon as it reaches one hundred pounds the valve 5 of the valve mechanism 5 will open and allow the steam topass to the cylinder 8 by Way of the pipe 9. I will assume that the damperis now wide open, or in its normal position, when controlled only by the weight 35. On this assumption when the steam enters the cylinder 8 the piston 10 will be at the lefthand extremity of the chamber,(referring to Fig. 1,) and the steam acting on the piston will move the latter, together with the crosshead 13, toward the right until the damper is closed through the instrumentality of the chains 29, the bar 30, the chain 31, and the arm 32, the arm 32 and the weight 35 being then in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

If it is not desired to close the damper tight, the movement of the cross-head toward the right may be correspondingly limited by means of bolts 36 engaging threaded openings formed in the bracket 15. During this movement of the cross-head toward the right it engages the dog 25 and raises the latter sufficiently to allow the cross-head to pass, the gravity of the dog then returning the latter to its position in the path of the cross-head upon the return of the latter. As soon as the damper is closed and the draft shut off accordingly the steam-pressure in the boiler will diminish,-and when it has reached a point below one hundred pounds the recoil of the spring 5 will close the valve 5* of the mechanism 5, allowing the steam to escape slowly through the exhaust-passage O of the nipple 5 From the passageA of the nipple 5" the steam passes through a small opening B between the valve 5 and the disk 5 andthence to theexhaust-passage O. The time required to exhaust the cylinder 8 maybe controlled by regulating the opening B. When the cylinder 8 is exhausted of steam, the cross-head will be moved toward the left through the medium of the weight 35, the chain 31, the bar 30, and the chains 29 until its movement is stopped by the dog 25, which may be adjusted to cocupy any desired position on the rod 24c. Hence when the dog is employed the damper is not allowed to open wide after it has been once closed and the movement of the piston 10- toward the left is correspondingly limited. When it is not desired to employ the dog 25 for the purpose stated, a valve 37, located in the pipe 17, is closed and the steam cut off from the valve mechanism 5 and the cylinder 18. The spring 38 then moves the piston 19 downwardly and turns the rod 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 (see Fig. 6)

sage 5", as heretofore explained.

throughthe medium of the rod 20, the yoke 22, and the crank-arm 55. This movement of the rod 24 raises the dog 25 out of the path of the cross-head 13, which then continues its movement toward the left in response to the influence of the weight 35 until the damper is opened wide. I

Again assuming that the valve 37 is open and the movement of the cross-head toward the left is limited by the dog 25, as before explained, (the damper being in this case only partly open,) and assuming, further, that the pressure in the boiler continues to decrease and passes below ninety-seven pounds, the spring 5 of the mechanism 5' will close the valve 5 of said mechanism, the spring 38 lowering the piston 19 and turning the rod 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in Fig. 6 sufficiently to raise the dog 25 out of the path of the cross-head 13, which will then move toward the left in response to the action of the weight 35 untilthe damper 34 is wide open. The steam will then begin to rise and the operation heretofore explained will be repeated. If, however, the steam does not rise when the damper is wide open, the fire must be supplied with more fuel.

In further explanation of the operation of the valve mechanism I desire to call attention to the following facts: The lower part of the valve 5 or the part engaging the seat, is beveled. Hence as soon as the steam raises the valve 5 in the slightest degree the steamengaging surface of the valve is increased to such an extent that the valve will be quickly raised to its limit of movement, thus closing the opening B, communicating with the exhaust-passage G, and allowing the steam to enter the passage A, and also the chamberD of the valve, since this chamber communicates with the passage A by means of the pas- Hence the steam-pressure in the chamber D is the same as on the valve 5 and the tendency is to close the valve 5*. The area, however, of the disk 5 or the area upon which the steam acts above the valve and tending to close it, is sufficiently less than the area of the valve upon which the steam is pressing upwardly to cause the valve to remain open and in a position to close the passage B. When, however, the steam falls below the pressure required to hold the valve 5 open and the latter closes, the port B is opened to allow the chamber D, as well as the cylinder 8, to exhaust by way of the exhaust port or channel 0.

My improved damper-regulating mechanism saves a large percentage of the fuel ordinarily required to run a boiler. The steam never blows off at the safety-valve when my improvement is used. Moreover, my mechanism acts more accurately and satisfactorily in every respect than can be done by a person in charge of the boiler. It also relieves the engineer of the constant watchfulness ordinarily required in keeping the steam at the proper pressure and gives steadier power to theengine operated by the steam from the boiler.

My improvement has another advantagenamely, simplicity of construction. This is a very important feature and has been so considered by me, since the damper-regulators heretofore employed, so far as I am aware, have been so complicated and expensive as to be prohibitive so far as extensive use is concerned.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a damper-regulator, the combination of a valve mechanism whose casing is connected with a boiler,a spring-held valve adapted to be opened by the steam from the boiler, the mechanism being provided with anexhaust-passage above the valve when the latter is closed, said passage being closed when the valve is open, the casing having an escape-passage for the steam when the valve is open, and a passage connecting said escapeport with the casing-chamber above the port, the bottom of the casing being provided with an opening through which the valve-stem protrudes into the casing-chamber, the upper extremity of the said stem being provided with a plate which the springengages, a separate chamber communicating with the escape-passage of the valve-casing, a piston located in said chamber, a cross-head connected with thepiston, and a suitable connection between said cross-head and the damper to be controlled.

2. In a damper-regulator, the combination of a valve mechanism whose casing is connected with the boiler, avalve adapted to be opened by the steam from the boiler, the mechanism being provided with an exhaustpassage above the valve when the latter is closed, said passage being closed when the valve is open, the casing having an escapepassage for the steam when the valve is open, and a port leading from said last-named passage to the casing-chamber above the valve, an apertured disk closing the chamber above the valve whose stem protrudes through the opening in said disk, a disk attached to the protruding extremity of the valve-stem and located in the casing-chamber above the firstnamed disk, a spring engaging the disk attached to the valve-stem, suitable means engaging the opposite extremity of the spring for regulating the tension of the latter, a separate chamber communicating with the escape-passage of the valve-casing, a piston located in said chamber, a cross-h ead connected with the piston, and a suitable connection between said cross-head and the damper to be controlled.

3. In a damper-regulator, the combination of a valve mechanism 5 comprising a casing and aspring-held valve, the casing being con nected with the boiler at a point below the valve, and provided with an exhaust-passage above the valve when the latter is closed, an exit-passage A for the steam when the valve said piston, a suitable connection between the cross-head and the damper to be regulated, and suitable means operated by the steam from the boiler for limiting the return movement of the cross-head when it is not desired to allow the damper to open wide, comprising a valve mechanism 5 consisting of a casing and a spring-held valve, the casing being provided with an escape-port A, a conduit connecting ports formed in the two valve-casings below the valves, a chamber connected with the port A of mechanism 5, a spring-held piston located in said chamber above the port where thesteam enters, a stem connected with said piston and protruding through the top of the chamber-casing, a yoke connected with said stem, a crank-arm connected with said yoke, a rod to which said crank-arm is attached, and a dog adjustably mounted on said rod.

4. In a damper-regulator, the combination of a valve mechanism 5 comprising a casing and a spring-held valve,the casing being connected with the boiler at a point below the valve, and provided with an exhaust-passage above the valve when the latter is closed, an exit-passage A for the steam when the valve is open, a separate chamber connected with the said steam-exit passage, a piston located in said chamber, a cross-head connected with said piston, a suitable connection between the cross-head and the damper to be regulated, and suitable means operated by the steam from the boiler for limiting the return movement of the cross-head when it is not desired to allow the damper to open wide, comprising a valve mechanism 5 consisting of a casing and a spring-held valve, the casing being provided with an escape-port A, a conduit connecting ports formed in the two valve-casings below the valves, a chamber connected with the port A of mechanism 5, a spring-held piston located in said chamber above the port where the steam enters,a stem connected with said piston and protruding through the top of the chamber-casing, ayoke connected with said stem, a crank-arm connected with said yoke, a rod to which the said crank-arm is attached, a sleeve adjustable on said rod by means of a set-screw, a stud carried by the sleeve and provided with a shoulder, a dog mounted on the stud and having a lug engaging the stop on the stud, whereby the dog when in the path of the cross-head allows the latter to travel past in one direction, but limits its movement in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EPl-IRAIM K. HUTOIIISON.

WVitnesses:

EDITH IIIMsWoRTH, G. J. ROLLANDET. 

